Advent, as it states on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website, is a start in many ways. “The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36).”
Our Pastor, Father Chris Koehn, wants to ask the parish to reconsider the Advent season, saying, “This year we would really like to emphasize the adventure of Advent. What that means is, Advent is the period of getting ready for something to happen. Life is an adventure, and as a pilgrim people, we are ‘on the move and encountering new life.’ Preparing for the birth of Jesus Christ can be like preparing for a new family member.” He says the focus should be on the promise of Christ’s return. “We shouldn’t focus on just decorating for Christmas,” he says, “but even undecorating in a way.” He asks, “What would be important to show Jesus if he returned and visited our home this Christmas? What are the real symbols of our family history?”
Father Chris emphasizes that Advent is, in his words, “A chance to start anew; the chance to try again.” He compares it again to the arrival of a new life in a family, saying, “Grandparents often experience this with grandchildren; the chance to build a new relationship of love.” He emphasizes, “Jesus Christ coming to us as a newborn child, likewise, gives us a spiritual opportunity to start a new relationship. We may have disappointed each other before, but what about if our loved ones came to us anew? We may feel we have let Jesus down, but now we can let him come to us as fresh and new and begin again.”
Father Jim Sabak agrees, saying, “Advent is, of course, when we’re expecting or anticipating Jesus’ return. That should be the first and foremost focus: that the season is really about Jesus’ second coming, and that we’re not supposed to be afraid or concerned that we are not worthy. It’s the sense in which you don’t know the time or the hour, but it doesn’t mean that you become lazy or think it’ll never happen. Our reality is that we’re supposed to do what the gospel says to await Christ’s return. Advent anticipates the second coming, and we don’t know when it will occur.” This uncertainty is highlighted in Matthew’s gospel with the ‘Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids,’ specifically in verse 13: “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
How do we keep watch to prepare for his return? Father Jim points out, highlighting Father Chris’s connection with ‘the family’, “Advent points to the history that we have as believers, that we fall in line with a lot of other people who have believed. And that’s what makes belief powerful: realizing that I come from a tradition of people who have also believed. Advent points to that, and it asks us to ask each other, ‘What keeps us believing?’ What has kept our ancestors, our parents, and grandparents all the way back, as believers?” So recognizing the history of our faith in our personal family history strengthens and prepares us.
Father Chris reemphasizes the focus on family. He says, “One of my favorite actions at Advent is to put out a picture of my grandfather, Ned Casey. Growing up, he would walk us to Mass, and he was the gift of faith to our family. He was always sharing his love of the church with his ten children and 32 grandchildren!” Father Chris adds, “If Jesus is coming to visit this Advent, then I want him to see Ned’s smiling face.” He also says, with a smile, “My grandfather would always avoid our great aunts and uncles on the way to church. He shared with us that, on this adventure, it is better to talk to some of our family after receiving Communion when we are stronger. I enjoy that message as much now as I did then!” The Pastor says, “In Advent we are preparing for the adventure of starting our relationships anew; New with God, new with Jesus, and new with each other.”
Family events and the rekindling of connections are a large part of Advent and Christmas, as we share meals, have parties, celebrate the birth of Jesus through traditional gift giving, and attend Mass. In Nigeria, according to Father Joseph, Advent is a time for family reunions and for parents and relatives to dote on the children with new clothes. Father James speaks of lighting clay pots on the roofs of the faithful’s houses in India to signify that the light of the world, personified in Jesus, is coming, and families gather to carol during the last week of Advent. What family traditions can you renew this year, or add to, to build upon those relationships with God, Jesus, and each other?
As his grandfather believed that the Eucharist strengthened him, Father Chris also stresses the importance of the sacraments in preparing and strengthening us for Christ’s eventual return. “Jesus Christ coming to us as a newborn child again gives us a spiritual opportunity to start a new relationship. The sacraments are a gift that helps us start life and relationships afresh. We may have disappointed each other before, but what about if our loved ones came to us anew again? We may feel we have let Jesus down before, but what if we let him come to us anew? Communion, reconciliation, and anointing of the sick all let us step into that reality. We can start a new adventure with each other and God through the sacraments at Advent and throughout our lives.”
